Leptomeningeal Metastases Epidemiology
Key Highlights
- Leptomeningeal metastases, also known as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis or neoplastic meningitis or carcinomatous meningitis or leptomeningeal disease, represent a serious and often debilitating complication of advanced metastatic solid tumors.
- Leptomeningeal metastases, frequently seen in breast, lung, or melanoma cancers, cause CSF buildup and increased brain pressure, leading to headaches, balance issues, and cranial nerve-related weakness, numbness, or pain.
- In 2024, the incident cases of leptomeningeal metastases were approximately 300,000 in the 7MM, reflecting a significant clinical burden.
- As per DelveInsight analysis, the US showed the highest number of incident cases of leptomeningeal metastases, accounting for approximately 40% of the incident cases in the 7MM in 2024.
DelveInsight’s “Leptomeningeal Metastases – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of leptomeningeal metastases, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.
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Study Period |
2020–2034 |
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Forecast Period |
2025–2034 |
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Geographies Covered |
US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the UK, and Japan |
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Epidemiology |
Segmented by:
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Leptomeningeal Metastases Understanding
Leptomeningeal metastases, also known as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis or neoplastic meningitis refer to the dissemination of malignant cells into the leptomeninges (the pia and arachnoid mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord, as well as into the CSF. These cells disrupt normal CSF drainage pathways, resulting in fluid buildup and increased intracranial pressure. The ensuing pressure causes a range of nonspecific yet troubling symptoms, often more prominent in the morning, including headaches, nausea, vision problems, and impaired balance or coordination. Cranial nerve involvement can further cause numbness, muscle weakness, or pain. This condition typically stems from the progression of systemic cancers, most frequently those originating in the breast, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, hematologic system, melanoma, or the CNS.
Diagnosing leptomeningeal metastases begins with a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history and a detailed physical and neurological examination. This assessment helps determine the extent of neurological involvement and raises suspicion for leptomeningeal disease. Once suspected, CSF analysis and neuroimaging become essential next steps. Tumor markers in CSF are valuable for early detection, monitoring treatment response, and predicting outcomes. General markers like lactate dehydrogenase and beta-2 microglobulin, along with specific markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), can provide important diagnostic insights.
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Leptomeningeal Metastases Epidemiology
The leptomeningeal metastases epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Incident Cases of Leptomeningeal Metastases, Incident Cases of Leptomeningeal Metastases by Cancer Type, Leptomeningeal Metastases Cases by risk type, Gender-specific Cases of Leptomeningeal Metastases, Leptomeningeal Metastases Treated Patient Pool in the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.
- In 2024, the total incident cases of leptomeningeal metastases were approximately 120,000 in the US, reflecting its significant disease burden and the pressing need for improved diagnostic tools and more effective treatments.
- In 2024, breast cancer recorded the highest incident cases of leptomeningeal metastases among all cancer types across EU4 and the UK, with approximately 30,000 cases reported.
- In Germany, incident leptomeningeal metastases cases were stratified by risk classification, with 66% of patients falling under the “good risk” category and the remaining 34% categorized as “poor risk” during 2024.This distribution highlights a predominance of favorable prognostic profiles within the affected population.
KOL Views
To gaze into the epidemiology insights of the real world, we take KOLs and SMEs’ opinions working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research on disease incidence.
DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 10+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 5+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the Georgetown University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, and South Miyagi Medical Center, etc, were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current disease incidence, gender involved with the disease, diagnosis rate, and diagnostic criteria.
Scope of the Report
- The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of leptomeningeal metastases, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, and currently available diagnostic algorithms and guidelines.
- Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, disease progression, and diagnosis guidelines.
- The report provides an edge for understanding trends, expert insights/KOL views, and patient journeys in the 7MM.
- A detailed review of current challenges in establishing the diagnosis.
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Leptomeningeal Metastases Report Insights
- Patient Population
- Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
- Total Incident Cases of Leptomeningeal Metastases
- Incident Cases of Leptomeningeal Metastases by Cancer Type
- Incident Cases of Leptomeningeal Metastases by Risk Type
- Gender-specific Cases of Leptomeningeal Metastases
- Leptomeningeal Metastases Treated Patient Pool
Leptomeningeal Metastases Report Key Strengths
- 10 years Forecast
- The 7MM Coverage
- Leptomeningeal Metastases Epidemiology Segmentation
Leptomeningeal Metastases Report Assessment
- Current Diagnostic Practices Patient Segmentation
Epidemiology Insights
- What are the disease risk, burdens, and unmet needs of leptomeningeal metastases? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population of leptomeningeal metastases?
- What is the historical and forecasted leptomeningeal metastases patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan?
- Why is the diagnosed incidence cases of leptomeningeal metastases in Japan lower than the US?
- Which country has a high patient share for leptomeningeal metastases?
Reasons to Buy
- Insights on patient burden/disease, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
- To understand the leptomeningeal metastases incidence cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
- A detailed overview of total incident cases of leptomeningeal metastases, incident cases of leptomeningeal metastases by cancer type, leptomeningeal metastases by risk type, gender-specific cases of leptomeningeal metastases, leptomeningeal metastases treated patient pool based on diagnostic imaging modality and regional population differences, since variations in imaging sensitivity and demographic factors substantially influence detection rates.
- To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis options.
- Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the forecast period covered in the report?
The leptomeningeal metastases epidemiology report for the 7MM covers the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, providing a projection of epidemiology dynamics and trends during this timeframe.
2. How is epidemiological data collected and analyzed for forecasting purposes?
Epidemiological data is collected through surveys, clinical studies, health records, and other sources. It is then analyzed to calculate disease rates, identify trends, and project future disease burdens using mathematical models.


